Netflix lets users binge offline

Finally allows content downloads.

Netflix will now allow users of its mobile apps to download shows and watch them offline, a feature that users of the streaming service had sought for some time.

The company updated its iOS and Android apps to add a new download button that offers users a chance to “download now to watch offline later”.

“While many members enjoy watching Netflix at home, we’ve often heard they also want to continue [to] binge while on airplanes and other places where internet is expensive or limited,” Netflix said in a blog post.

“Many of your favourite streaming series and movies are already available for download, with more on the way, so there is plenty of content available for those times when you are offline.”

The blog post emphasised mostly Netflix Originals content as being among the first shows to be made available for offline viewing.

Gizmodo also noted that the content downloads aren’t viewable outside the Netflix mobile app; they don’t show up in a file manager on the handset, and they can’t be ported to a device with a larger screen.